Thankful

I Love Thanksgiving! Who knew?! Every Fall Dustie has to hold me back from jumping right into Christmas. His rule is I cannot decorate for Christmas until AFTER Halloween. :) Having Jax this year has really given me a new outlook on each day. Maybe it's because each new day brings a "first," but I am more eager to make every single day special and to savor every moment. This year I actually enjoyed Halloween and the fun celebration of children getting to dress up, have fun and goof off. The following month I have so enjoyed getting to take time to think about all the things I have to be thankful for. The list could go on and on, but here are some of the highlights:

I am thankful for:
-My Salvation
-My Family
-Motherhood
-Church Family
-Friends
-My Mom and Mammaw keeping Jax everyday
-My job and the freedom it gives me (espeically as a Mommy)
-Fall-for all the wonderful sights, smells & tastes!
-Christmas-and that I NOW get to start the celebration of Christ's birth!

This month we enjoyed so many things about Thanksgiving! We thought about what we were thankful for. We learned to thank God for those things. (Yes, I do realize I will probably have to "re-teach" this lesson next year...and the year after...and the year after...) We made goodies for the people that we are thankful for.

We learned about the Pilgrims.

And the Indians.

Putting together our "Spiced & Iced Pumpkin Cookies" YUMMY!

Jax in the midst of Thanksgiving-ness!

Jax-the pumpkin is just a prop! Now look at the camera!

Jax will enjoy his very own sweet potatoes & green beans for Thanksgiving Dinner. Here he is "practicing."

Sweet Taters are YUM!

Ladies Love Cool James...

Happy Birthday to the original LL Cool J!

5 years ago a small white ball of fur was born & was destined to become part of the Dunn family. On our first Christmas as a married couple, Dustie gave me Hootie James. Right away he and Dustie made a special bond & quickly became best friends. (So much for being MY present!)

For Hoo's birthday this year Jax stayed at Gammy & Gamp's house (my parents) & Hoo got to be the only child for a night. He thought it was wonderful! He has been a great first child. He is so very mischievous and wild. He has helped prepare us for parenthood. We have had many wonderful adventures with him & look forward to many more!

Family Fall Festival

Just wanted to get these fun pics up from our Fall Festival. Hundreds of Vivianites showed up for the fun. It was such a success! Jax had a wonderfully exhausting first Halloween!

Modeling his costume

On the way to the festival.

Adorable friends!

More cute friends!

Fun things to do!

With Lolo getting ready to do the potato sack race! :)

Dustie and Blake racing.

What are these yummy looking things?!

Too cute to be scary...

Milk break

Bro. Blake & Jax (Jax's children's Pastor)

Always a MON-STORRRR...not just for Halloween!

Pooped from all the festivities!

No Tricks, All Treats

Jax decided he wanted to make some "treats" for his Sunday School teachers and the nursery workers, so that is what he and I spent the day doing on Halloween. It was sooo the perfect day! Sunny outside & very cool. We snuggled in our pajamas all day long & enjoyed our Saturday!

Jax relaxing, ready to make some truffles!

They MUST be packaged in a fun way!

Working hard putting the ribbons on.

Setting it all up...

Counting to see if there's enough...

Lots of boxes...

YUM!

Havin fun!

The finished product.

All ready for church in the morning!

These truffles were SUPER EASY (um...I made them lol) & so yummy. Thanks to Barefoot Contessa for the recipe:

Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

1/2 lb bittersweet chocolate (Lindt is good)

1/2 lb semisweet chocolate (Ghiradelli is good)

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon prepared coffee

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cocoa powder, confectioners sugar, sprinkles, nuts etc. (to cover the truffle)

Directions:

Place chocolates in heat proof mixing bowl.

Heat cream until it just boils & allow to sit for about 20 secs. Pour through a fine mesh sieve into the chocolate. Add vanilla & coffee. Stir with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Set aside for an hour. (recipe says @ room temp, but after the hour at room temp I put it in the refrigerator for about 30 mins to help it set) Scoop out & roll in your hands to form balls. Roll in topping of your choice. Refrigerate, serve @ room temp.

Enjoy! :)

All Dressed Up

A few weeks ago we were able to celebrate 2 wonderful weddings in one week! The first couple, Kase & Meghan, were married a couple of weeks prior to the celebration (it was just a small, intimate, family wedding). The second couple's wedding was actually on a Thursday night. Incidentally, we celebrated both weddings with the same family-the Gorsulowskys. We've been friends with Jim & Pam for a few years now & were SO looking forward to that day! (Yes, our friends may be on a little tv show known as The Office...) We know we're cool; you don't have to tell us...

The Gorsulowsky / Chiles Wedding Reception

Jax in his "tux" for Meghan & Kase's reception.

Meghan & Jax

It was soooo pretty-wish I had a pic of the cake & the awesome buffet!

Jax loves Mrs. Erin! Praying for the day she & Kev. have kids-they'll be awesome parents! Until then, they can borrow ours. :)

Jax & his Mrs. Pat.

The Halpert Wedding!

Erin got a beautiful & YUMMY wedding cake!

Jax & Erin hangin out...

Jax, Erin, Andrea, Meghan & Dustie. Food was soooo good!

Dustie "lol"-ing & Kevin makin some goodies!